7 nights | 8 Day Discovering Andean Food & Culture

Highlights

Get a glimpse of the Andean culture in 8 days. Be taught how to make Peruvian food in Cusco and get acquainted with the unique connection of man and nature in the communities of Lake Titicaca. End your journey in the vibrant city of Lima and sample the unique cuisine whilst absorbing the history and culture.

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Itinerary

Itinerary

DAY 1LIMA
Welcome to Lima, the 'City of Kings'. You will be met at the airport and privately escorted to your hotel.

DAY 2LIMA - CUSCO (B)
At proper time you will be transferred to the airport.

Today you will be picked up from the airport of Cusco and taken to your hotel in town.

In the afternoon you will go on your half day sightseeing tour, which starts with Sacsayhuaman Fortress, the largest and most magnificent work left by the Incas. The massive terrace walls are amongst the largest used in any building in the Americas. The meticulous precision of the rockwork sheds light on the mastery of the Inca stonemasons. Then, you head back to Cusco city. Admire the most impressive example of how Inca and Hispanic cultures fused together at the Koricancha or Sun Temple. Just at walking distance you find the Cathedral dominating the north-east side of Cusco’s main square. One of the most famous paintings and icons within is the ‘Last Supper’ by Quechua artist Marcos Zapata. The 18th century painting symbolizes the blend of indigenous and European cultures. Instead of a lamb on the table you find a guinea pig. Take then a cobblestoned street going up to the traditional artist's quarter of San Blas. Many of the best craftsmen have their workshops and small galleries in the cobbled, narrow streets. From the main square, take Triunfo Street to Hatunrumiyoc and see its famous twelve-sided stone.

DAY 3CUSCO - MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO (B)
For today’s visit of the Machu Picchu you will be transferred to the train station of Ollanta.
The train ride takes you through the Sacred Valley of the Incas up to Machu Picchu.

Upon arrival a small coach takes you up the steep roads to the entrance of the citadel. For centuries Machu Picchu remained undiscovered by the Spaniards and has only been found in 1911 by the American explorer Hiram Bingham.

During a guided tour you will experience the uniqueness of the location and the genius that went into its construction, making this Inca site one of the seven new wonders of the world.

Afterwards you’ll return by train from Machu Picchu Pueblo to Ollanta, to be transferred to your hotel in Cusco.

DAY 4CUSCO (B)
Today’s Cooking Class is a choice between lunch (tour begins at 11am), or dinner (tour begins at 4pm). Be taught how to make Peruvian food and enjoy lunch/dinner with a view on this 3-hour cooking class in Cusco. You first head with an experienced local chef to the vibrant San Pedro market for an introduction on local produce as potatoes, quinoa and maize. Then, set to work preparing and cooking a traditional 2-course meal in a chic kitchen with individual cooking stations, a small bar, an outdoor patio and a large window overlooking the city. When the food is ready enjoy your creation as you sip a Peruvian Pisco sour.

DAY 5CUSCO - PUNO (B)
At proper time you will be transferred to the airport.

Today you will be picked up from the airport of Juliaca and transferred to your hotel in Puno (1 hour away).

In the afternoon you will board a small boat and venture out onto the waters of Titicaca Lake. Visit to one of the native Uros communities located on a man-made floating island in the lake. The Uros people live totally interwoven with the 'totora' reed which grows abundantly in the shallows of the lake. This strange way of life began over 500 years ago when the Uros built the islands in an effort to isolate themselves from the Coyas and the Incas.

DAY 6PUNO (B,L)
Today’s excursion shows you the beauty and the traditional life on the shores of the Titicaca Lake. You start early in the morning and head to the southern shores of the lake to visit Aymara communities. On route you pass the village Chucuito (Temple of Fertility) and continue to Qopa Amaya, a pre-Colombian ceremonial place. The impressive red and violet rocks have an important spiritual meaning since Incan times, and its significance reaches until nowadays. In Villa Socca a great moment has come to give an offering to the lake. The simple but traditional ritual ‘Qui’nto’ is to ask the lake for permission to get to know it while offering three coca leaves to the lake. Not surprisingly that the views from this spot over the lake are truly majestic. Next, you reach Perka Norte, where you start off to a 50-minutes hike on an ancient path to the beach of Luquina. From here, the vehicle takes you to a local restaurant for a lunch with splendid views over the lake. In Luquina you can take part in different activities with the local families. In the afternoon a small snack awaits you before you head back to your hotel in Puno.

DAY 7PUNO – JULIACA – LIMA (B)
At proper time you will be transferred to the airport in Juliaca for your flight to Lima. Welcome back. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel.

DAY 8LIMA - ... (B)
Stimulate your taste buds with a gastronomic tour exploring Lima´s food flavors and colors. Begin in the vibrant Miraflores market, which is a popular choice by local chefs for its wonderful variety of fresh produce from the coast, the Andes and the jungle. Learn about Peru’s food diversity that is reflected in the colorful assortment of vegetables, fruits, fish and condiments. Drop in at a local ‘jugueria’ to sample a juice made with exotic local fruits: chirimoya, lucuma, guanabana or passion fruit. The choice is yours!

Then, head to San Isidro to visit the El Olivar, a park with ancient olive trees, brought from Seville in the 16th century and its nice surrounding chalets from the 1920s. Try a Limenian specialty ‘pan con chicharron’, a sandwich served with sliced fried pork and sweet potato. Afterwards, visit the artistic quarter in Barranco and stroll past charming old houses where sculptors, writers and poets reside. End your tour with a ‘picarones’ tasting and try the Peruvian tradition of eating these sweet potatoes/pumpkin doughnuts that are served with flavored syrup - a popular dessert since colonial times.

Afterwards you will be transferred to the airport on time.

MEALS = B: breakfast, L: lunch, D: dinner

Terms & Conditions

*Conditions apply. Prices correct as at 10 Feb 19 but may fluctuate if surcharges, fees, taxes or currency change. Offers subject to availability. Agents may charge service fees, rates vary. Payments by credit card will incur a surcharge. Airfare not included. All savings and bonus nights are included in the advertised price. ~$100 per person discount applies to the first 100 eligible bookings made within the specified sales period (1 Mar – 30 April 2019). Valid for advertised product only. Discount will be applied at time of reservation. Offers may be withdrawn without notice and are not combinable with any other offers unless stated. Please check all prices, availability and other information before booking. Viva! Holidays and Helloworld Travel booking terms and conditions apply, see in store for details.